Teen Heartthrob Austin Mahone Is Hospitalized, Tour Postponed

Suzy Byrne

Stop The Presses!October 18, 2013

Here is some news that will not make tween girls happy.

Pop singer and heartthrob Austin Mahone was hospitalized Thursday, and his tour, which was to kick off the same day, has been postponed until next year. He's now on strict doctor's orders to stay on rest, his rep tells Yahoo Music.

"I've never felt so bad," the 17-year-old, who has been called the next Justin Bieber, wrote on Instagram, along with a snapshot of himself, looking worse for wear, in a hospital gown.

Despite being hooked up to what appeared to be an IV, the floppy-haired young star was able to flash a peace sign to his fans. But make no mistake — he's sick. Earlier this week, he came down with flu-like symptoms and tweeted that he had a fever of 103 degrees.

"Austin is very ill," his mother, Michele Mahone, posted on his Twitter account Thursday evening, confirming the postponement of the MTV Artist to Watch Tour, which was to include opening acts Becky G, Midnight Red, and W3 The Future.

Austin's mom went on to thanked fans for praying for her son and seemed to solicit more by tweeting a "PrayforAustin" hashtag. Later, she posted a second photo of Austin in the hospital. This one showed the teen on a gurney.

"My poor baby," she wrote. "I cannot remember the last time he was so sick."

Austin, who toured with Taylor Swift, was looking forward to headlining his own concert series. But it will have to wait to be on center stage.

"Ticket holders for the sold out tour will be notified of the new 2014 dates and all details as soon as possible," his rep says.